Early 2027 NFL Mock Draft: Three Quarterbacks Go in the Top Five

Way-too-early mock drafts for the 2027 NFL Draft are already generating buzz, and the consensus is forming around a quarterback-heavy top five that could reshape several franchises for a decade.

Three quarterbacks currently project as top-five selections: Arch Manning of Texas, who enters his second season as a starter with elite pedigree and NFL-ready mechanics; Garrett Nussmeier of LSU, whose arm talent and production in the SEC have scouts comparing him to recent first-round success stories; and a rising prospect from the Big Ten whose combination of size and mobility has drawn early first-round grades.

The quarterback demand is being driven by teams that missed on their franchise quarterback needs in the 2026 draft. The Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets, and Cleveland Browns all enter the 2026 season with significant questions at the position, and another year of subpar quarterback play could lock them into the top of the 2027 board.

Perhaps the most intriguing projection is Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who many evaluators believe could be the best overall player available regardless of position. Smith's combination of size, speed, and ball skills is rare, and if a quarterback-needy team trades back, Smith could be the prize that a receiver-hungry franchise covets.

Early mock drafts are notoriously unreliable — players rise and fall based on college performance, the combine, and team needs that shift with free agency. But the quarterback class of 2027 appears legitimately deep, which could create a seller's market for teams picking at the top.

What This Means For You: If your favorite team needs a quarterback, the 2027 draft class offers real hope. But hope is expensive — the cost of trading up for a top quarterback pick has escalated dramatically in recent years, often costing multiple first-round selections. The teams that draft best in 2027 may not be the ones picking at the top, but the ones that navigate the trade market most shrewdly.